Fresh Air
“Fresh air will purify the blood, refresh the body, and help to make it strong and healthy. The invigoration produced will be reflected upon the mind, imparting to it tone and clearness, as well as a degree of composure and serenity. It gives a healthful stimulus to the appetite, renders the digestion of food more perfect, and induces sound, sweet sleep. Living in close, ill-ventilated rooms, weakens the system, makes the mind gloomy, the skin sallow, and the circulation feeble; the blood moves sluggishly, digestion is retarded, and the system is rendered peculiarly sensitive to cold. One should so accustom himself to fresh, cool air that he will not be affected by slight changes of temperature. Of course he should be careful not to sit in a draft or in a cold room when weary, or when in a perspiration.
“Many labor under the mistaken idea that if they have taken cold they must carefully exclude the outside air, and increase the temperature of the room until it is excessively hot. But the system of one suffering with cold is deranged, the pores are closed by waste matter, and there is more or less inflammation of the internal organs, because the blood has been chilled back from the surface, and thrown upon them. At this time, of all others, the lungs should not be deprived of pure air. Judicious exercise would induce the blood to the surface, and thus relieve the internal organs. The power of the will is a great help in resisting cold, and giving energy to the nervous system. To deprive the lungs of air, is like depriving the stomach of food. Air is the food that God has provided for the lungs. Welcome it; cultivate a love for it, as a precious boon of Heaven. “Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, p. 140:2,3.
“The lungs are constantly throwing off impurities, and they need to be constantly supplied with fresh air. Impure air does not afford the necessary supply of oxygen, and the blood passes to the brain and other organs without being vitalized. Hence the necessity of thorough ventilation. To live in close, ill-ventilated rooms, where the air is dead and vitiated, weakens the entire system. It becomes peculiarly sensitive to the influence of cold, and a slight exposure induces disease. It is close confinement indoors that makes many women pale and feeble. They breathe the same air over and over until it becomes laden with poisonous matter thrown off through the lungs and pores, and impurities are thus conveyed back to the blood.”-The Ministry of Healing, p. 274:1.
“Air, air, the precious boon of Heaven, which all may have, will bless you with its invigorating influence, if you will not refuse it entrance. Welcome it, cultivate a love for it, and it will prove a precious soother of the nerves. Air must be in constant circulation to be kept pure. The influence of pure, fresh air is to cause the blood to circulate healthfully through the system. It refreshes the body, and tends to render it strong and healthy, while at the same time its influence is decidedly felt upon the mind, imparting a degree of composure and serenity. It excites the appetite, and renders the digestion of food more perfect, and induces sound and sweet sleep.” — “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. 1, p. 702.
“The chief if not the only reason why many become invalids is that the blood does not circulate freely, and the changes in the vital fluid, which are necessary to life and health, do not take place. They have not given their bodies exercise nor their lungs food, which is pure, fresh air; therefore it is impossible for the blood to be vitalized, and it pursues its course sluggishly through the system….
“The season most to be dreaded by one going among these invalids, is winter. It is winter indeed, not only out doors, but in, to those who are compelled to live in the same house and sleep in the same room. These victims of a diseased imagination shut themselves in doors and close the windows; for the air affects their lungs and their heads. Imagination is active; they expect to take cold, and they will have it. No amount of reasoning can make them believe that they do not understand the philosophy of the whole matter.” — “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. 2, p. 525, paragraphs 2 and 1.
“In addition to your diet remember that you need fresh air, sunshine, and outdoor exercise. The best and the most profitable way to obtain all three at the same time is to make a garden in your back yard, if no place else, and do in it a little work daily. Thus, you would not only improve our health and have fresh vegetables for your table, but also reduce your grocery bill. However, before you make your garden, and before you have the opportunity to work in it do not cheat yourself from a brisk daily walk, and having opened all your bedroom windows at night do not sleep with your nose covered.” 2SC 3,4 p.4
“…Many are suffering from disease because they refuse to receive into their rooms at night the pure night air. The free, pure air of Heaven is one of the richest blessings we can enjoy.”-2T 527:3.
“The strength of the system is, in a great degree, dependent upon the amount of fresh air breathed. If the lungs are restricted, the quantity of oxygen received into them is also limited, the blood becomes vitiated, and disease follows.
“It is impossible to go out in the bracing air of a winter’s morning without inflating the lungs.”-Healthful Living, p. 171: 5, 6.
“Air is the free blessing of Heaven, calculated to electrify the whole system.”-Healthful Living, p. 177:5.
